Adjustable spray nozzle

ABSTRACT

An adjustable spray nozzle comprising a body which is connected at one end to a source of liquid under pressure. A cylindrical chamber in the body is open from the other end thereof, and the bottom of the chamber is defined by a transverse partition having water passageways provided therein. A conically tapered post rises from the center of the partition, and at its outer end is an outwardly flared frustocone. Slidable within the chamber is a sleeve having a radially inwardly projecting flange on its outer end, which defines a circular opening in the center of slightly smaller diameter than the frustocone. An adjustment collar is screwed onto the body and has a shoulder that engages the sleeve to limit outward movement of the latter under fluid pressure. The closer the sleeve flange is to the frustocone, the finer the spray.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Howard W. Brenner P.O. Box 1484, Escondido, Calif. 92025 [21] Appl. No 823,574 [22] Filed May 12,1969 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 [54] ADJUSTABLE SPRAY NOZZLE 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 239/117, 239/458 [51] Int. Cl B0511 15/02 [50] Field of Search 239/106, 114,115,117,ll8,456,457,458,459,460

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 713,852 11/1902 Chapin 239/117 924,866 6/1909 Winfield et a1. 239/117 2,092,519 9/1937 Mclean 239/118 2,697,638 12/1954 Anger 239/458 3,059,857 10/1962 Friant et al1 239/117 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y Mar AttorneyHerbert E. Kidder ABSTRACT: An adjustable spray nozzle comprising a body which is connected at one end to a source of liquid under pressure. A cylindrical chamber in the body is open from the other end thereof, and the bottom of the chamber is defined by a transverse partition having water passageways provided therein, A conically tapered post rises from the center of the partition, and at its outer end is an outwardly flared frustocone. Slidable within the chamber is a sleeve having a radially inwardly projecting flange on its outer end, which defines a circular opening in the center of slightly smaller diameter than the frustocone. An adjustment collar is screwed onto the body and has a shoulder that engages the sleeve to limit outward movement of the latter under fluid pressure. The closer the sleeve flange is to the frustocone, the finer the spray.

PATENTEU JUL 6197: $59

Z0 4'? Ha 2 /WEW ADJUSTABLE SPRAY NOZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 3 This invention pertains to adjustable spray nozzles for handling any liquid such as water, fuel oil, liquid chemicals, or the like, which must be discharged in the form of a fine spray. There has long been a need for an adjustable nozzle that delivers a fine spray over a wide range of adjustment; that is SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of thepresent invention is to provide an adjustable spray nozzle that delivers a fine spray of liquid over a wide range of adjustment, and that is also accurately adjustable over its entire range to provide a precisely metered flow of fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nozzle of the class described that is self-cleaning and nonclogging.

, A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable spray nozzle that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and having no delicate parts to get out of adjustment.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of an adjustable spray nozzle embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial section of the same, showing the nozzle as adjusted for the finest spray pattern;

, FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same, to

reduced scale, showing the nozzle adjusted for a medium spray pattern; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the nozzle adjusted for maximum fluid flow and relatively coarse spray pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the reference numeral designates the adjustable spray nozzle of the invention in its entirety. The nozzle 10 comprises a generally cylindrical body 12, preferably made of brass, although it could be made of any other nonclogging material such as plastic. The body 12 is adapted to be connected at one end to a source of fluid under pressure, and to this end it is internally threaded at 14 to receive the threaded end of a fluid pipe (not shown).

Extending into the body 12 from the other end thereof is a cylindrical chamber 16, the bottom of which is defined by a transverse partition wall 18 having passageways 20 extending through it from one side to the other, through which the fluid flows. In the exact center of the partition wall 18 is an opening 22, into which a stud 24 of a post 26 is pressed. The post 26 rises from the bottom 18 of the chamber 16 along the central axis thereof, and is'tapered conically at 28, as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom of the conically tapered portion 28 is cut off square at 30 to form a shoulder which seats on the outer surface of the partition wall 18 to provide a solid base for the post.

The tapered sides of the post have an included angle of about-16, although this angle is not particularly critical and might vary somewhat from this value. The outer end of the post 26 is in the form of a frustocone 32, which accounts for about one-eighth of the total length of the post above the bottomof the chamber 16. The frustocone 32 is more sharply an gled than the base portion 28, and the included angle between opposite sides of the frustocone is approximately although this value is not extremely critical, and might be a few degrees more or less. The total height of the post 26, including the frustocone 32, is such that about one-fourth of its length projects beyond the end 34 of the body. The outer lip 36 of the frustocone 32 is fairly sharp, with a radius not exceeding about 0.005 inch. The maximum outside diameter of the frustocone 32 is approximately the same as that of the base of the tapered portion 26.

Slidably disposed within the chamber 16 is a cylindrical sleeve 38, the outer end of which has a radially inwardly projecting flange 40. The inner edge of the flange 40 defines a circular opening 42, the diameter of which is a few thousandths of an inch less than the diameter of the lip 36 of the frustocone 32. Thus, the frustocone is not able to pass through the opening 42, and the inner lip of the flange 40 engages the outer lip of the frustocone to limit the inward sliding movement of the sleeve 38. The inner side of the flange 40 is chamfered on a slight angle at 44, so that the inner lip of the opening is fairly sharp, with a radius not exceeding about 0.005 inch.

The outer surface of body 12 adjacent end 34 is threaded at 46 to receive the internal threads of an adjustment collar 48. The collar 48 is knurled at 50, and has an inwardly projecting lip at 52, which is adapted to be received in an annular groove 54 formed in the outer edge of the sleeve 38. The lip 52 of the adjustment collar 48 limits the outward movement of the sleeve 38 responsive to the thrust of the fluid pressure, and it is the axial distance of the lip 42 on sleeve 38 from lip 36 on the frustocone 32 that determines the pattern and fineness of the spray issuing from the nozzle, as well as the volume of fluid discharged thereby.

The sloping sides of the chamfered surface 44 on the underside of flange 40 and conical surface of the frustocone 32 forms an annular exit space, the sides of which converge at an obtuse angle. As the fluid enters the chamber 16 through the passageways 20, it passes through a first annular passageway of gradually increasing cross-sectional area, defined by the cylindrical inner surface 56 of sleeve 38 and the tapering conical surface 28 of post 26. In this first passageway, the velocity of the fluid is slowed down, and it is caused to swirl around the post 26. As the swirling fluid approaches the annular exit space defined by the conical surface of frustocone 32 and chamfered surface 44, that part of the water which is closest to the frustocone is given an outwardly inclined component of movement, while that part of the fluid which is closest to surface 44 is given an inwardly inclined component of movement. These two oppositely directed portions of fluid come together at the narrow, annular exit opening between the sharp-edged lips 36 and 42, and the extreme turbulence of the fluid at this point causes it to break up into an extremely fine spray.

In a nozzle of this type of construction, it is of utmost importance that the circular aperture 42 be precisely concentric with the frustocone 32, as the slightest eccentricity between them results in an asymmetrical spray pattern. To maintain this precise concentricity, the aperture 42 is formed in sleeve 38, which is a close, sliding fit within the chamber 16. Because of the close fit, the sleeve 38 is free to slide, but does not have enough clearance in the chamber 16 to become cocked therein, or to otherwise be displaced laterally. Thus, the effectiveness of the nozzle is due, in large part, to having the aperture 42 in a separate sliding sleeve 38, instead of having it formed integrally with the collar 48.

The nozzle of my invention may be made of any suitable material other than brass, and it may be used with water or any other liquid.

While I have described in considerable detail what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may take other forms than that shown in the drawings.

I claim:

1. An adjustable spray nozzle comprising: a body adapted to be connected at one end to a source of fluid under pressure; said body having a cylindrical chamber extending inwardly from the other end thereof, the bottom of said chamber being defined by a partition having passageways provided therein through which the fluid flows; a post fixed to said partition and extending axially therefrom; a sleeve slidably disposed within said chamber, said sleeve having an inwardly directed flange at its outer end which defines a central opening; said post having a frustocone at its outer end said frustocone having a relatively sharp'edged lip at its outer end which cooperates with the edge of said central opening in said sleeve; and adjustable means for limiting -the outward sliding movement of said sleeve responsive to the fluid pressure within said chamber.

2. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim I, wherein said post is tapered conically from its base to the junction with said frustocone.

3. The adjustable spray nonle of claim 1, wherein said inwardly directed flange of said sleeve is chamfered on its inner side so that the edge of said central opening is a relatively sharp lip.

4. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means for limiting the outward sliding movement of said sleeve comprises a collar screw-threaded onto said body, said collar having an inwardly projecting lip on its outer end which engages the outer periphery of said sleeve.

5. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 3, wherein said frustocone and said chamfered underside of said sleeve flange cooperate to form an annular exit space for the fluid, two sides of which converge at an obtuse angle.

6. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 3, wherein said frustocone is slightly larger in diameter at its outer end than said opening in said sleeve.

7. An adjustable spray nozzle as in claim I, wherein said post is conically tapered for the greater portion of its length, and the remainder of its length comprises an oppositely directed frustocone;

said sleeve having a radially inwardly directed flange at its outer end, the inner edge of which defines a central, circular opening;

the underside of said sleeve flange being chamfered at a slight angle to form a relatively sharp lip around said central opening;

said frustocone having a relatively sharp-edged lip at its outer end which cooperates with said relatively sharp lip of said central opening to define an annular discharge orifice; said frustocone being slightly larger in diameter at its outer end than said opening in said sleeve; and I said adjustable means for limiting the outward sliding movement of said sleeve comprising a collar screw-threaded onto said body, said collar having an inwardly projecting lip on its outer end which engages the outer periphery of said sleeve;

said frustocone and said chamfered underside of said sleeve flange cooperating to form an annular exit for the fluid, the sides of which converge at an obtuse angle. 

1. An adjustable spray nozzle comprising: a body adapted to be connected at one end to a source of fluid under pressure; said body having a cylindrical chamber extending inwardly from the other end thereof, the bottom of said chamber being defined by a partition having passageways provided therein through which the fluid flows; a post fixed to said partition and extending axially therefrom; a sleeve slidably disposed within said chamber, said sleeve having an inwardly directed flange at its outer end which defines a central opening; said post having a frustocone at its outer end said frustocone having a relatively sharp-edged lip at its outer end which cooperates with the edge of said central opening in said sleeve; and adjustable means for limiting the outward sliding movement of said sleeve responsive to the fluid pressure within said chamber.
 2. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein said post is tapered conically from its base to the junction with said frustocone.
 3. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein said inwardly directed flange of said sleeve is chamfered on its inner side so that the edge of said central opening is a relatively sharp lip.
 4. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein said adjustable means for limiting the outward sliding movement of said sleeve comprises a collar screw-threaded onto said body, said collar having an inwardly projecting lip on its outer end which engages the outer periphery of said sleeve.
 5. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 3, wherein said frustocone and said chamfered underside of said sleeve flange cooperate to form an annular exit space for the fluid, two sides of which converge at an obtuse angle.
 6. The adjustable spray nozzle of claim 3, wherein said frustocone is slightly larger in diameter at its outer end than said opening in said sleeve.
 7. An adjustable spray nozzle as in claim 1, wherein said post is conically tapered for the greater portion of its length, and the remainder of its length comprises an oppositely directed frustocone; said sleeve having a radially inwardly directed flange at its outer end, the inner edge of which defines a central, circular opening; the underside of said sleeve flange being chamfered at a slight angle to form a relatively sharp lip around said central opening; said frustocone having a relatively sharp-edged lip at its outer end which cooperates with said relatively sharp lip of said central opening to define an annular discharge orifice; said frustocone being slightly larger in diameter at its outer end than said opening in said sleeve; and said adjustable means for limiting the outward sliding movement of said sleeve comprising a collar screw-threaded onto said body, said collar having an inwardly projecting lip on its outer end which engages the outer periphery of said sleeve; said frustocone and said chamfered underside of said sleeve flange cooperating to form an annular exit for the fluid, the sides of which converge at an obtuse angle. 